Rampage 3 extreme boot problem

[shortstuff_mt]

We have a sticky that was created to troubleshoot this exact type of problem. There's a link to it in my signature. Let us know how it goes after you've performed EVERY step in the checklist.

 

[banthracis]

Read
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/261145-13-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

 

[donnerjack_69]

Hi there,
I just assembled a new system. It will not start - after the initial POST screen nothing happend.
Pressing DEL does not open the BIOS set-up utility.
This MB has 2 BIOS chips, but switching to the second one does not change nothing.

Hardware used:
MB: ASUS Rampage III Extreme
CPU: i7 980X 3.33GHz
VC: ASUS ENGTX480
PSU: Corsair HX1000
RAM: G.Skill 3x2GB 1600MHZ 6-8-6-20
HDD: 2x WD Raptor 10000rpm 150GB
OS: Not yet installed
No overclocks applied

All led indicators on the MB show OK (excluding Boot Device).
Does somebody have any idea what's up??????????

Thank you in advance!
Ivan

 

[donnerjack_69]

Thanx for the stiky, but no help there.
The MB has native check circuit and CPU, DRAM and VGA is reported OK.
The POST screen reads the BIOS rev., MB model, CPU model, CPU speed, DDR speed and DDR check and reported right size plus OK report.
So far so good .....
but nothing happends after that.

 

[banthracis]

There's 20 steps in the sticky. Which of these 20 have you actually done so far?

Not even a pro could have gone through all 20 and bread boarded in the time you've claimed to have done it all.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

It doesn't matter how much money you wasted on fancy components. The troubleshooting steps are the same for your build as they are for any other build.

 

[donnerjack_69]

Most of the steps are irrelevant:
1. yes I read it
2. I have connected the right connectors - and the CPU has power and it is recognized corrctly on the POST screen.
3. All 9 standoffs are in place.
4. Video Card is installed OK otherwise I will have no POST screen at all
5. Both power connectors are connected to the VC - see above answer
6. Yes I tried and it recognizes the change immediately reporting right ram (2GB instead the original 6GB before I removed 2 of the dimms)
7. See above - if not inserted it will not recognize them.
8. See above - anyway I use the exact slots as advised in the MB manual - A1 for a single ram A1, B1 and C1 for 3-chanel.)
9. Common - ther's no way to mount the HSF with the plastic cap.
10. I don't think the MB will report the correct CPu if it is not inserted correctly
11. I use the original Intel supplied (box CPU) termal paste - it is so tiny that thereis no way to make a mistake.
12. CPU fan IS ROTATING
13. I have intalled the heatsink prior to inserting the MB in the box
14. No wires under the MB, no loose screws
15. I mount the thing wearing only cotton shorts sitting barefooted on the floor - no wrist strap.
16. System speaker - no such thing on my box, but the board CAN CHECK CPU, RAM VGA AND BOOT DEVICE - every one of these has a separate LEd and all show OK (excluding boot device).
17. fron panel plugs are connected right and working as expected.
18. I will not comment this one - GUYIS, I HAVE A POST SCREEN
19. The POST and ASUS report rev. 402 which supports this CPU - unless ASUS are mistaken, but the CPU is recognized OK.
20. CMOS reset does not change nothing
21. No integrated video on this MB, anyway I have a POST screen

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I understand you have a POST screen. What EXACTLY happens after that? Does it just sit on a specific screen, does the screen go black, is there a message on the screen? Are you absolutely sure the "Del" key is the correct key to get into the BIOS? It is for most motherboards, but did you double check in the manual? Are you sure your keyboard is even recognized during POST so you can use it to press buttons? Some motherboards disable USB keyboards by default.

 

[banthracis]

Please also read this part

"To eliminate the possiblility of a bad installation where something is shorting and shutting down the PSU, you will need to pull the motherboard out of the case and reassemble the components on an insulated surface. This is called "breadboarding""

 

[donnerjack_69]

"To eliminate the possiblility of a bad installation where something is shorting and shutting down the PSU..."
Does anybody read what I am posting?
If the PSU is shorted and shuts down - there will be no POST screen and reports about CPU, RAM etc.

 

[donnerjack_69]

I understand you have a POST screen. What EXACTLY happens after that? Does it just sit on a specific screen, does the screen go black, is there a message on the screen? Are you absolutely sure the "Del" key is the correct key to get into the BIOS? It is for most motherboards, but did you double check in the manual? Are you sure your keyboard is even recognized during POST so you can use it to press buttons? Some motherboards disable USB keyboards by default.

The POST screen reads the BIOS rev., MB model, CPU model, CPU speed, DDR speed and DDR check and reported right size plus OK report.
The initial screen is reading Press DEL for Bios utility or pess TAB for POST screen.
No mater which (TAB or DEL) I press it goes to the POST screen.
I tried holding DEL after reset does not help.
On the POST it have two more options - F8 for pop-up utility screen - nothing happend if I press it exept the writhing changes to pop-up utility selected ..... the other is for bios flash utility - but when pressed it does not open the utility screen as described in the MB manual.
The CTRL + ALT + DEL resets the system
and that's all ...I tried all the F's and the rest of the key - no luck

 

[banthracis]

It doesn't go into the BIOS until after POST.

Short's question is what happens after the POST.

Does it sit on a black screen? error message? freeze on the POST screen? etc

 

[donnerjack_69]

Speaker connected - only one short beep on power on

 

[donnerjack_69]

It doesn't go into the BIOS until after POST.

Short's question is what happens after the POST.

Does it sit on a black screen? error message? freeze on the POST screen? etc

From POST it goes nowhere - just stays there and nothing happend.

 

[donnerjack_69]

PSU is in the list of ASUS for that MB.
CPU too.
VGA is ASUS, so no compatibility issues expected here.
The thing has 2 separate BIOS chips, but switching them does not change nothing

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Do you have an old PS/2 keyboard you can use? It sounds like everything is working as it should other than the system not recognizing when you press a keyboard key. It is weird that CTRL + ALT + DEL resets the system, though. I would try a different keyboard before anything else.

 

[donnerjack_69]

Do you have an old PS/2 keyboard you can use? It sounds like everything is working as it should other than the system not recognizing when you press a keyboard key. It is weird that CTRL + ALT + DEL resets the system, though. I would try a different keyboard before anything else.

That was my first attempt.
I have replaced the wireless keyboard i usualy use for an old PS/2 keyboard - no change at all.
if the DEL was not recognized it will not work in the CTRL ALT DEL combination either.
So I am stuck.

 

[banthracis]

From POST it goes nowhere - just stays there and nothing happend.

I'm assuming based on what you're saying, it reaches the POST screen and then freezes with the POST screen up. It never goes to a black or error screen.


The distinction here is whether it's actually completing the POST.

If it freezes on the POST screen, then it's actually not POSTing, it's failing to POST.

If it goes to say a black screen with nothing on it, or an error then it may be POSTing, and failing after the POST.

It's an important distinction.

If it's failing to POST and everything else is correctly connected, and no beep codes are appearing, then it's pointing towards a bad MOBO.

 

[donnerjack_69]

I'm assuming based on what you're saying, it reaches the POST screen and then freezes with the POST screen up. It never goes to a black or error screen.


The distinction here is whether it's actually completing the POST.

If it freezes on the POST screen, then it's actually not POSTing, it's failing to POST.

If it goes to say a black screen with nothing on it, or an error then it may be POSTing, and failing after the POST.

It's an important distinction.

If it's failing to POST and everything else is correctly connected, and no beep codes are appearing, then it's pointing towards a bad MOBO.

I have no idea how the COMPLETE POST screen should look on this MB.
CPU report is there
Ram report is there
HDD - not
DVD - not
boot device question - not
So maybe POST indeed is not completed

Any ideas??

 

[pjmelect]

It may be getting locked up looking for the drives, try temporarily disconnecting any hard drives or CD drives.

 

[banthracis]

Do a basic build like suggested in the bread boarding thread.

Just CPU/MOBO, 1 stick RAM, GPU and PSU.

You're not posting. If post is complete it'll go to a different screen like a black screen or an error screen or to a boot screen. A basic build won't boot but will complete post and give error messages/beep code.

See if this occurs.

 

[donnerjack_69]

Do a basic build like suggested in the bread boarding thread.

Just CPU/MOBO, 1 stick RAM, GPU and PSU.

You're not posting. If post is complete it'll go to a different screen like a black screen or an error screen or to a boot screen. A basic build won't boot but will complete post and give error messages/beep code.

See if this occurs.

I will try this tonight - had to work to pay for the cursed thig
It took me one day to put it inside and manage the cables so they won't get in the way.
And ASUS won't register the MB for "Technical inquiry" because the sticker with the serial is damaged by another sticker on top of it (put there by the courier!!).
It's a annoying situation, eh .....

 

[donnerjack_69]

Tried "bread boarding" - CPU+MB+1xRAM+GPU+PSU.
Same thing. No change at all.
New discovery though - The MB manual shows that EZ plug connections is needed for powerfull GPU (like the one I have I guess), but the GPU is working OK without it.
Obviously with no load, that is.
When EZ plug connected - (no matter out or in the box) the POST does not start at all - and MB indicates filure to initialize the CPU. Disconect the EZ plug - CPU, DDRAM and VGA -OK????????????//
It is getting from bad to worst!

 

[banthracis]

EZ plug is optional, actually unnecessary really as long as the GPU 6 pins and 8 pins are connected.

You're gonna have to start swapping components now.

Use a PSU known to work and see if system works.

Then try GPU.

If not, you'll have to swap to a new mobo and try.

Still, no then swap CPU's.

Alternatively you can plug in your PSU and RAM into a working pc and see if they work there.

 

[donnerjack_69]

EZ plug is optional, actually unnecessary really as long as the GPU 6 pins and 8 pins are connected.

You're gonna have to start swapping components now.

Use a PSU known to work and see if system works.

Then try GPU.

If not, you'll have to swap to a new mobo and try.

Still, no then swap CPU's.

Alternatively you can plug in your PSU and RAM into a working pc and see if they work there.

Replaced RAM with one from working system - no change.
Tried my RAM dimms at another system - works fine.
Don't have compatible PSU with sufficient power yet (NVIDIA rates GTX480 as 250W alone)
Checked my PSU (when connected and ON and also not connected and ON) - it have all required voltages as described in the MB manual except "-5V" which is empty slot in the ATX 24pin connector ????????
Can this empty -5V be the problem????????
Seems unlikely - if the PSU don't have it and the MB need it then ASUS will not list this PSU on their QVL.
None of the voltages drops down when connected and system is ON.
I will try different GPU today.
A friend of mine have similar system but with 1156 I will try to convince him to try the PSU and GPU.
Looking around for 1366 processor for the next step
Look around for people with similar problems - there are some, but no solution yet other than incorect RAM or replacement of the MB.